Letters from our readers: SFPD had nothing to do with launching Web site

Tools

Unless I missed something, the San Francisco Police Department did not “unveil” a new crime-reporting Web site, www.crimemapping.com, as reported on your Dec. 20 Bright Ideas page. That Web site makes it clear that its authorship and data are provided state-by-state by the Omega Group, not the SFPD.

Omega Group says, “CrimeMapping.com represents our nationwide public service.” Your report was misleading, causing the reader to think that the SFPD did the work. Give credit where credit is due!

Ann GroganSan Francisco

Problems with Congress

Isn’t it a conflict of interest for the federal Congress to create a law for their own health care and then create a different law administering health care for private citizens, which might affect the availability of medical treatment for members of Congress?

In addition, your Wednesday editorial states that for 200 years, changes in the Senate’s standing rules have required approval by two-thirds of those voting. Because these congressmen are mostly lawyers, they should also know that the U.S. Constitution forbids making any retroactive legislation, and that for the alleged tyranny of Sen. Harry Reid to be addressed in the Supreme Court, a citizen must challenge this tyranny in court.

Frank NortonSan Francisco

Stop UN from imposing law

The United Nations is attempting to pass a resolution that could fundamentally change the United States by creating an “Islam blasphemy ban” that would limit our right to criticize the negative elements of Islam under threat of criminal charges.

America’s First Amendment protects our freedom of speech and expression, even when it seems offensive or insulting. But this ban could bypass our constitutional rights, just to accommodate another culture. This cannot be allowed.

Our country has treaded extremely lightly where disputes over religious doctrines are concerned. We must continue to believe in the rule of constitutional law. U.S. citizens are not required to submit to the rules of Islam — that’s not cool. Americans are endowed with inalienable rights and blessings that we will not give up. We need to oppose any effort to bring “Defamation of Religions” into U.S. law.